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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The next day, in the afternoon, in the great grey suburb, he knew his long walk had tired him.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the dreadful cemetery alone he had been on his feet an hour.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the dreadful cemetery alone he had been on his feet an hour.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
back
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From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In the dreadful cemetery alone he had been on his feet an hour.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading By day there was nothing, but by night there were lamps, and George Stransom was in a mood that made lamps good in themselves.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
cabman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
cemeterynounUS /ˈcemetery/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In the dreadful cemetery alone he had been on his feet an hour.
circling
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From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
civil
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From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day, in the afternoon, in the great grey suburb, he knew his long walk had tired him.
desert
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From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
devious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdrɛdfəl/
extremely frightening or unpleasant
From this reading In the dreadful cemetery alone he had been on his feet an hour.
dreariness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
dusk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the dreadful cemetery alone he had been on his feet an hour.
former
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From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
gathered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
George
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By day there was nothing, but by night there were lamps, and George Stransom was in a mood that made lamps good in themselves.
gift
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From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
gloomy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By day there was nothing, but by night there were lamps, and George Stransom was in a mood that made lamps good in themselves.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next day, in the afternoon, in the great grey suburb, he knew his long walk had tired him.
grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day, in the afternoon, in the great grey suburb, he knew his long walk had tired him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The next day, in the afternoon, in the great grey suburb, he knew his long walk had tired him.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The next day, in the afternoon, in the great grey suburb, he knew his long walk had tired him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The next day, in the afternoon, in the great grey suburb, he knew his long walk had tired him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The next day, in the afternoon, in the great grey suburb, he knew his long walk had tired him.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the dreadful cemetery alone he had been on his feet an hour.
hovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The next day, in the afternoon, in the great grey suburb, he knew his long walk had tired him.
Instinctively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day, in the afternoon, in the great grey suburb, he knew his long walk had tired him.
lamps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By day there was nothing, but by night there were lamps, and George Stransom was in a mood that made lamps good in themselves.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next day, in the afternoon, in the great grey suburb, he knew his long walk had tired him.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
measured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
mood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By day there was nothing, but by night there were lamps, and George Stransom was in a mood that made lamps good in themselves.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next day, in the afternoon, in the great grey suburb, he knew his long walk had tired him.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading By day there was nothing, but by night there were lamps, and George Stransom was in a mood that made lamps good in themselves.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the dreadful cemetery alone he had been on his feet an hour.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
paused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
prey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
Stransom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By day there was nothing, but by night there were lamps, and George Stransom was in a mood that made lamps good in themselves.
suburb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day, in the afternoon, in the great grey suburb, he knew his long walk had tired him.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next day, in the afternoon, in the great grey suburb, he knew his long walk had tired him.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading By day there was nothing, but by night there were lamps, and George Stransom was in a mood that made lamps good in themselves.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By day there was nothing, but by night there were lamps, and George Stransom was in a mood that made lamps good in themselves.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
tired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day, in the afternoon, in the great grey suburb, he knew his long walk had tired him.
tracts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paused on a corner and measured the dreariness; then he made out through the gathered dusk that he was in one of those tracts of London which are less gloomy by night than by day, because, in the former case of the civil gift of light.
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day, in the afternoon, in the great grey suburb, he knew his long walk had tired him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading By day there was nothing, but by night there were lamps, and George Stransom was in a mood that made lamps good in themselves.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Instinctively, coming back, they had taken him a devious course, and it was a desert in which no circling cabman hovered over possible prey.
